Manual

F. COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING

MUZZLELOADERS

1. MISCONCEPTION:

A MUZZLELOADER IS UNLOADED AFTER THE CAP

IS REMOVED.

• As long as the barrel is loaded with powder and projectile the firearm is

loaded and must be treated as a loaded firearm.

2. MISCONCEPTION:

A MISFIRE WILL NOT FIRE AFTER A MINUTE OR

TWO.

• Misfire is the least understood condition and the leading cause of acci-

dents - mainly because the condition is treated casually. When a misfire

occurs keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction until the load has been

cleared from the barrel. Potentially dangerous misfires occur when the cap

or priming powder ignites, but the main powder charge fails to ignite. Pos-

sibilities are (1) a blocked or clogged vent (flash channel or touchhole), (2)

a contaminated (wet or oily) main powder charge or (3) no main powder

charge. Wait a few minutes, then recap or reprime and try again to shoot

out the load. When several attempts fail, remove the projectile by using an

approved method described in number 3.

3. MISCONCEPTION:

PULLING A PROJECTILE IS A SAFE PRACTICE.

• Pulling a projectile is dangerous when there is a powder charge behind

the projectile. Four approved methods to remove a projectile from the bar-

rel are to: (1) Use a CO

discharger to blow the projectile from the barrel;

(2) Remove the percussion nipple from the breech plug and work powder

into the flash channel. Replace the nipple, recap and discharge; or (3)

Remove the nipple and place the barrel's breech in eight inches of water to

soak (deactivate) the main powder charge (for about an hour) before pull-

ing the projectile; (4) With the muzzle in a safe direction, remove the bar-

reled action making sure that the percussion cap (and any excess fulmi-

nate) is removed from the nipple. Remove the bolt, nipple and breech plug

(see page 13 & 14). Empty the powder into a safe container. Using the

ramrod and cleaning jag with a solvent soaked cleaning patch, push the

bullet from the breech forward and out the muzzle of the barrel.

4. MISCONCEPTION:

BLOW DOWN THE BARREL TO CLEAN OR CLEAR THE

VENT AND EXTINGUISH HOT SPARKS OR EMBERS.

• Blowing down the barrel is hazardous. Keep all parts of the body away from

the muzzle at all times. Point the muzzle only at the intended target.

G. BASIC ACCESSORIES FOR A MUZZLELOADER

1. LOADING ACCESSORIES

Propellant - Blackpowder or acceptable substitute such as Pyrodex or Pyrodex

Pellets. NEVER USE SMOKELESS POWDER.

Projectile - Balls, bullets, sabots

Ignition Source - Percussion Cap, Musket Cap, or Modern 209 Primer.